Auto Theft Suspect Arrested After Early Morning Car Chase

An 18-year-old Wildomar resident is in custody after a car chase following an auto theft in Lake Elsinore this morning, police said.

At about 1:40 a.m., officers from the Lake Elsinore Police Department observed a brown Mini Cooper near the intersection of Union Street and Corydon Road. A records check on the vehicle’s license plate revealed that the Mini Cooper was reported stolen the day before out of the Lake Elsinore area.

When the officers attempted a traffic enforcement stop on the Mini Cooper, the driver failed to yield and a vehicle pursuit was initiated. The driver of the stolen vehicle proceeded through various surface streets. The pursuit ended when the vehicle became stuck on Stoneman Street and the driver surrendered.

Shane Michael Lehr was arrested for burglary, vehicle theft, and evading a peace officer and was transported to the Southwest Detention Center.